title: Effect of atmosphere of incubation on the growth of Neisseria meningitidis in a blood culture medium.
abstract: Seven strains of Neisseria meningitidis have been grown in a commercial blood culture medium (supplemented peptone broth, Beckton-Dickinson) under five different atmospheric conditions (anaerobic, transiently vented, permanently vented in air, in 5% CO2 in air, and in air with agitation). Macroscopic evaluation was not a quick and reliable method to discover growth with this medium. With transient venting and under anaerobic conditions macroscopic growth was not detected at all and a loss in viability was observed. It is therefore recommended that frequent subcultures should be performed if meningococcal bacteraemia is suspected. Preliminary data indicate that agitation in air induces a more rapid growth than stationary incubation.
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000254:growth & development*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis